Dahlias are half hardy, so keep them protected from frost. Pot tubers individually between February and April and grow them on in a greenhouse or bright indoor position. Alternatively, start them outside in May, once the risk of frost has passed.
Out of season
Deluxe
Mostly we think of dahlias as being packed with hundreds of pointy petals, but often in the garden simplicity is better—and this is where Dahlia 'Mexican Star' comes in. It is in the single-flowered Dahlia category, meaning that it has just one layer of petals. But what petals! Blooming from mid-summer until the first frosts of autumn, the flowers—which are 6cm across—have petals of a mesmerizing, rounded, dark chocolate-red, and a bright yellow disc in the centre.
The blooms of Dahlia 'Mexican Star' are full of depth and drama—and they have a lovely, almost chocolate-like fragrance. Plants will grow to 90-120cm in height, and they are supported by dark stems and lightly bronzed, dark green foliage.
Dahlia 'Mexican Star' is likely to flower a little later than many other Dahlia varieties, so it usefully extends the colour season in your garden. Deadhead regularly to encourage more flowers. The blooms look stunning in a sunny mixed border or patio pot. Incidentally, they are perfect for cutting, and bringing indoors, too.
Dahlia 'Mexican Star' is a unique crossing/hybrid between Cosmos atrosanguineus and a Dahlia. It is also known as Dahlia × Cosmos 'Mexican Black'.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
For planting out later, use a snug-fitting 15–20cm pot filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. For a patio display, plant directly into a container at least 30cm wide and keep it somewhere bright and frost free until it can move outdoors.
Position the old stem facing upwards, with the tubers covered and the stem stump level with the compost. Tubers naturally vary in size and shape and may arrive without visible buds. Bent necks are usually fine if they remain firmly attached, so do not remove them.
Water after planting, then allow the compost to become almost dry before watering again while the tuber remains dormant. Once shoots and leaves are growing strongly, water more regularly, always allowing excess water to drain away.
Plant out after the last frost, once the plant is around 20–30cm tall and its roots hold the compost together. Space dahlias approximately 30–50cm apart in borders, allowing less room for compact varieties. Water thoroughly after planting.
Water regularly during active growth and deadhead or cut flowers often. Dahlias usually bloom from July or August until the first frost, although later-planted tubers may start in late August or September. In autumn, lift, clean and dry the tubers, then store them somewhere cool, dry, airy and frost free.
- Botanical name
-
Dahlia 'Mexican Star' (Sin)
Dahlia × Cosmos 'Mexican Black' - Flower colour
- Near-black, red, brown, yellow
- Tuber size
- 1
- Established height
- 1-1.5m
- Established spread
- 50cm-1m
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
- Upright
- Hardiness
- Half hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant spacing
- 1 tuber per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- No
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Borders
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1st year
Good for cutting
Thrives in full sun
Perennial
Packed in paper
Low maintenance
Top-size tubers
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Dahlia 'Mexican Star' reviews
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